Heel protector



E. BARTHES HEL Pnors'con Feb. 2 1926.

Filed Feb. 11, 1925 ,agi/1.

Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATESx vP-.lvrl-:lv'r OFFICE.

EMIL'BARTHES, 0F SALINAS, CALIFORNIA.

HEEL PROTECTOR.

Application led February to ladies since their shoes, being of a finer texture, very quickly become soiled and worn from this cause. It is the object of my 1nvention to provide -a heel protector which can be readily snapped into place on the heel portion of shoes varying in size and shape and which will fully protect the sameffrom( this objectionable wear.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one specific embodiment of my invention, but itA willbe understood that the invention can be otherwise embodiedand that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the'invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon forthat purpose.

Referring to the .figures of thexdrawing: Fig. 1 illustrates the use of my invention. -Fig 2 is'a perspective view of my improved heel protector. Fig. 3 is a sectional view thereof taker. on line III-III of Fig. 2. The heel protector of my invention comprises a leather casing 1 shaped to conform to the rear of a shoe and having a bottom heel portion 2 preferabl sewed thereto. This casing is constructe of fairly heavy and substantial material whereby t e same will retain its shape and continue to stand up under rough usage. The inside of the casing is lined with a .softma-terial as the felt 3 illustrated whereby to protect the shoe against scratches and selling. The heel protector can be secured to the shoe in any manner desired. I prefer, however to provide means in connection there- `with whereby the device can be very conveniently slipped on and off the shoe. As

11, 1925. Serial No. 8,413.

illustrated, I mount a U-shaped leaf spring 4 f on the inside of the casing 41 and secure the same thereto by rivets 5. The resiliency of.

the spring is such that the ends 6 thereof normally spring toward leach other in a manner to clasp the shoe therebetween.

The construction and use of my invention is believed to be obvious from the above description. WVhen desiring to use the protectors, the drive merely'snaps the same over the heel portion of her or his shoes, as indicated in Fig. 1. The spring-ends 6 grip around the ball of the heel in a manner to hold the protectors quite firmly in place.

When leaving the drivers seat the protectors canbe very conveniently slipped off without delay or effort. By the use of my invention the drivers shoes are rotected against being soiled and worn in the manner well known and heretofore stated.

lBy referring to Fig. A1, it will be particularly noted that my improved heel protector is so constructed that the heel portion thereof does not accurately fit the heel of the shoe. It is Well known that the heels of shoes, and particularly those of ladies shoes,

vary widely in shape and size. By constructing the protector in the manner indicated, the same is adapted to be used on shoes varying to a considerable degree in shape and size. The user istherefore not required to have a pair 4of `protectors for each pair of shoes, but one 'pair of protectors can be used with all her shoes. It should furthermore be noted that the spring 4 is so arranged above the heel` portion that the ends of the spring en age against the sides and above the ball of t e heel. In this manner the spring not only holds l,the protector against displacement from.the shoe, but the same also has a liftin effect on the pro tector in a manner hol ing the heel portion 2 thereof firmly engaged with the heel of the shoe. Thus,V the spring acts both horizontally and vertically on the protector to in one piece and adapted to loosely t over edges of the casing and 'heel ortion thereand about the heel and rear portion of a shoe of, and' spring means carried Ey the casing and a bottom portion adapted to fit over the and adapted to resili'ently engage the sides 10 bOtOm of the heel, the top and IOII PQrof the shoe in a manner holding the casing 5 tion of the casing being open and circumagainsbdisplacement vfrom the shoe.-

scribed by the marginal portion of the protector at the bop'of the ca slng and at the front EMIL BARTHES. 

